Army Chief on Defensive Over Letter, Job

General V.K Singh, pictured, had claimed that the Indian Army’s tanks are devoid of critical ammunition to defeat the enemy tanks.

On Day Four of the battle between the army chief and the government, General V.K. Singh defended himself, saying he had “nothing to do” with the leak of a highly controversial letter he wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dated March 12.

Calling it an “outrage,” Gen. Singh has said the letter leak should be treated as “high treason,” media reports said Thursday.

“This cynical approach to tar my reputation has to stop,” Gen. Singh said, adding that the source of leak should be dealt with “ruthlessly.”

Support for Gen. Singh came from former navy chief, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, who said the leak benefits the defense minister as it diverts attention from the issue of bribery. He was quoted by news channel NDTV as saying, “No man in uniform, let alone V.K. Singh, would ever do such a thing.”

Gen. Singh, in his leaked letter dated March 12, had claimed that the Indian Army’s tanks are “devoid of critical ammunition to defeat the enemy tanks.” The letter also said the infantry is “crippled with deficiencies of crew served weapon” and lacks “night fighting” capabilities.

These revelations had escalated the spat which had first begun over the issue of Gen. Singh’s age and then over the lapses in procurement procedures. The letter leak was also criticized in Parliament as members said it threatens national security by bringing out in the open India’s lack of military preparedness.

Following the leak, political parties made a united call for action against whoever leaked the letter even as the government was put in a fix over how to deal with the erupting scandal. It was the army chief who was at the center of some politicians’ anger as they blamed him for the leak.

While the Overseas Indian Affairs minister Vlayar Ravi said Gen. Singh’s actions are that of a “frustrated man,” Janata Dal (United) leader Shivanand Tiwari called for the army chief’s removal.

Amidst this, media reports Thursday were quick in speculating over Gen. Singh’s future. Some said Gen. Singh might be asked to go on leave until he retires on May 31 and some experts reportedly said he must “retire and reflect.”

Meanwhile, Defense Minister A.K. Antony, speaking at the Defense Expo in New Delhi, tried to douse the fire saying, the three chiefs of the defense forces “enjoy government’s confidence.” He cautioned against demoralizing the Indian Army.

Mr. Antony also added that whoever leaked the letter is “anti-national” and the government will “go to the roots” to find out and won’t “spare those people.”

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